Gospel of the Kingdom of God

[Pierac]

I agree with Suzana, in fact, she said much of what I intended to say. I think some folks have gotten their shorts wrapped around the axle!

When did the preaching of the kingdom begin? And when did people enter into it? Jesus tells us:

Luke 16:16 (New King James Version)
16. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

And what happened on the day of Pentecost?

Luke 24:49 (New King James Version)
49. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Though the disciples of Jesus may not have understood exactly the nature of the Kingdom, they were in it prior to the cross; the were disciples. Jesus was their King. The difference Pentecost made was the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

You would do well to go back and read what Steve wrote.

Blessings, Homer

However Homer allow me to repost..., Acts 1:5-7 provides a testimony against the idea that the Kingdom of God was initiated when Jesus went to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven. In Acts 1:5 after Jesus had given a six-week seminar on the subject, of the Kingdom (Acts 1:3) the disciples, who had already been preaching the gospel of the Kingdom under Jesus supervision, asked the obvious question. Hearing that the spirit was to be poured out from heaven, they supposed not unreasonably that the Kingdom of God was going to appear at the same time. They defined the Kingdom has Jesus had taught them. They thought of it as involving the restored tribes of Israel in the land. "Is it yet at this time," they asked, "that you are going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Jesus did not in any way rebuked them for their good question. He simply inform them that the time for the coming of the kingdom would not be known. The restoration of the Kingdom to Israel is taken for granted. The time which pass to elapse before the Kingdom comes cannot be known. Note, however, this is central point which settles any question about the Kingdom in relation to the coming of the spirit. The spirit was to come "in a few days time." But that Kingdom was to arrive at a time of unknown. This proves obviously that the coming of the spirit at Pentecost is not the same event as the coming of the Kingdom.

We will have to search harder. Back to the promises of God in the O.T. starting in Genesis?

Paul

[mikew]

I have seen the fall of the temple as sign of the start of the kingdom, in accord with Luke 21:31-32

21:31 Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. 21:32 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished

Christians were "translated" into the kingdom before the kingdom started. If the kingdom had started before such verse, then the verse could have just said that they had entered the kingdom.

[Suzana]

Yes, we do have recordings of many teachings of Jesus. So how would a 1st century Jew take these teachings, compared to a modern westerner today. What mental visions would a Jew have 2000 years ago that a modern westerner who did not grow up living out the O.T. have? Could the understanding of Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom have changed over time?

G'day Paul

Once the 1st century Jews grasped the idea of the spiritual nature of God’s Kingdom, instead of the temporal one they were expecting, their understanding of Jesus’ teachings shouldn’t be that far different to ours.
They had the apostles’ teaching, in person and letters, and the Holy Spirit.
We have the apostles’ teaching, in letters, and the Holy Spirit.

(John 18:36 (KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world…)

John 14:26 (KJV) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Do you understand all the Hebraic meanings of "baptizing in the name"?

Possibly not all, but enough.

What was a name to a Jew?...
Jesus obviously did not come to inform the Apostles that God’s name is YHWH. He came to explain God’s character, His attributes, His will, so that we could come to truly know God and follow His ways. This understanding of the word "name" along with the definition of the next word "baptize" will add to your understanding of Matt 28:19.

Yes, I actually was aware of the different nuances. And I know that praying in Jesus’ name for example isn’t a formula.

This position has strong Biblical support by the fact that the Apostles at no recorded instance baptize using the formula of "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" as Jesus supposedly commanded them to do. They always baptize "In the name of Jesus Christ."

I was also baptized “in the name of Jesus”, but think either way is acceptable to God & don’t think it should be a big issue.

So again what would a 1st century Jew see differently than a western reading the same passage? A different Kingdom perhaps?

Hopefully not once they imbibed some milk, followed by some good apostolic meat, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Just like us.

[Jill]

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[Pierac]

Hi Suzana and Karen,

Let’s review some early church fathers (leaders).

He says, "The kingdom of God comes not with observation. Neither do they say, look here! Or, look there! For, behold the kingdom of God is within you." Now, who will not interpret the words "within you" to mean in your hand, within your power? That is, if you hear and do the commandment of God. Tertullian

That person is already in the kingdom of the heavens who lives according to the virtues. Accordingly, the saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," refers to deeds and disposition-not to a certain time. Christ, who is all virtue, as come. For this reason, He says that the kingdom of God is within His disciples-not here or there. Origen

On account of the goodness and faithfulness that he displayed towards God own earth, there was given to Him a kingdom, and glory, and dominion. And all peoples, tribes, and languages will serve Him… And this is understood in two ways. First, even now He has an everlasting dominion- when [people of] all nations and languages adore His name, confess His majesty, follow His teaching, and imitate His goodness…. Second, when he comes again with majesty and glory to judge every soul and to restore the righteous to life, then He will truly have the dominion of the whole earth. Lactantius

Trypho: Do you really admit that this place Jerusalem shall be rebuilt? And do you expect your people to be gathered together, and made joyful with Christ and the patriarchs…?

Justin: I and many others are of that opinion, and believe that this will take place, as you are assuredly aware… Moreover I point out to you that some who are called Christians, but are godless, impious heretics, teach doctrines that are in every way blasphemous, atheistical and foolish… I chose to follow not men or men’s teachings, but God and the doctrines delivered by Him. For it you have fallen with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit the truth of the resurrection… who say that there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls when they die are taken into heaven, do not imagine that they are Christians… but I and others who are right-minded Christians on all points are sure that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned and enlarged, as the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah and others declare… we have perceived, moreover, that the expression, "the Day of the Lord" is connected with this subject. And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the Apostles of Christ, who prophesied by a revelation that was made to him that those who believe in our Christ would dwell at thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general and the eternal resurrection of all men would take place.
Justin Martyr

It would appear some early Christians believe the "Gospel of the Kingdom" related to this glorious future reign of God on earth, through His appointed Messiah. Some early Christians believed God had destined that they "reign upon the earth" with the Messiah (Rev 5:10). And all who joined Jesus in repentance and faith would be the elite of this final world order, entitled to the highest honors because of their loyalty to him in this present world. To some early Christians the gospel of "salvation" related to the reality of God's promise future of a renewed earth. To "be saved" meant being preserved in the day of messianic judgment, and being entitled to reign with the Messiah in his terrestrial (earthly) kingdom. So why did they believe differently from most churches today?

I think the Kingdom can be traced back to the promises of God. I need to do some more work.

Peace,
Paul

[Pierac]

GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM (THE KINGDOM OF GOD) ?

The purpose of my study is to clarify what the kingdom of God is based on. People have claimed that the kingdom of God is the church (which one?), or that the kingdom of God is in your heart. These ideas will seem confusing when one understands what the concept of the kingdom of God is actually based on. Keywords such as "promise" and "inheritance." I think the concept starts with the promises that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, Genesis 13:14-15 & Genesis 17:7-8. These promises are also made to Isaac (Genesis 26:4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:14) who are Abraham’s son and grandson. The three are also referred to as the patriarchs.

Genesis 12:3: "All the communities of the earth will find blessing in you."

This appears to be a reference to the Messiah (Jesus). God promised Abraham that through his descendants would come someone through whom the world would be blessed (saved). Paul seems to confirms this in Acts 3:25-26:
"You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when He said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ For you first, God raised up His servant and sent him to bless you."

The second promise deals with the earth. The families that will be blessed are the families of the earth. And it is on this earth that the families will be blessed. God specifically promises Abraham the earth (or the land as it is sometimes referred to) as his inheritance.

Genesis 13:14-15: "The LORD said to Abraham: Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever."
Genesis 17:7-8: "I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession."

So did the Messiah come to also confirm and proclaim the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Is this is the reason why Jesus came. Through his death our sins are forgiven (we are blessed), and through his reign as our king on earth (Jesus’ Second Coming), Abraham and his descendants (the resurrected in Christ) will inherit the earth as their permanent possession?

Romans 15:8: "For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to CONFIRM the promises to the patriarchs."
What promise? That Abraham and his descendants would inherit the world.

Romans 4:13: "It was not through the law that the PROMISE was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would INHERIT THE WORLD, but through the righteousness that comes through faith."
So what did Jesus come to proclaim? The kingdom of God.

Luke 4:43: "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent."

As you can see, Jesus came to confirm the promises that God made to Abraham and to proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus is proclaiming what he came to confirm?

1 Corinthians 6:9: "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Abraham was promised that he would inherit the world. In the verse above it says that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God. The keyword is "inherit." To inherit the kingdom of God is to inherit the world. The kingdom of God is the world under the rule of God through His Messiah.

The kingdom of God = The promises that God made to the patriarchs.

Entrance into the kingdom of God is the Christian goal. Is this is the reward that God has promised the followers of Christ? Galatians 3:29:
"And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise."

What promise? That he would inherit the world?

Romans 4:13: "It was not through the law that the PROMISE was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would INHERIT THE WORLD, but through the righteousness that comes."
We are supposed to inherit the world along with Abraham. Because of our faith in Christ we are considered descendants of Abraham and heirs to the same promise. With Christ as our king we will reign on earth. Revelation 20:4:
"They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

Where will we reign with Christ? Revelation 5:10:
"You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will REIGN on EARTH.

The kingdom of God is the theme of the entire Bible. It started with the promises that God made to Abraham. Every prophet has had something to say on this topic. God through the prophets added more details until Jesus arrived to confirm and proclaim the kingdom of God, not only to the Jews, but also to the world (blessing, Genesis 12:3). Abraham and his descendants have never possessed the world. They all died in faith (Hebrews 11:13), this is why there will be a resurrection, so that God’s promises will be fulfilled. When will the resurrection happen? In the last day of this age, in the coming of the new age (inaugurated by Jesus’ return). This is when Abraham and his descendants will inherit the world.

Luke 20:35: "But those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead."

John 11:23-24: "Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise.’ Martha said to him, I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day."

Ot appears the kingdom started on the earth with Adam and Eve. They corrupted it by their disobedience to God. The message of the kingdom of God starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation. It is God’s plan of salvation for the human race by returning man and the earth to its original condition. It is best summarized by the New American Bible pg. 15 & 24:

"The plan of salvation foretold by the sacred authors, recounted and explained by them, is found as the true word of God in the books of the Old Testament. The principle purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ, the redeemer of all and of the messianic kingdom, to announce this coming by prophecy.

Another important topic in prophetic preaching is messianism. God punishes infidelity to His covenant (partnership). Israel is humiliated for its sins. But at some future date God’s kingdom on earth will be restored. God’s vicegerent, His Messiah, anointed to royal dignity, will reign in that kingdom. We should pay attention to this messianic expectation in Hebrew literature. This is necessary to understand the literature of the New Testament, which sees the fulfillment of this messianic expectation in Jesus of Nazareth. In other words, the New Testament movement is the fulfillment of the Hebrew Bible. Jesus of Nazareth proclaims that he is the promised Messiah (anointed) king to come, to establish the kingdom (reign) of God, for which the Old Testament was yearning."

So why do people think that our reward is heaven? Did this idea came about through the influence of Greek philosophy upon the early church of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries?

Once we understand what the kingdom of God is based on (the promises made to the patriarchs), then we will easily see the error in believing that the kingdom of God is the church, or that it is in your heart. There are many more verses to study and much more to learn about Jesus’ most important teaching. Will anyone here join me in this search, leaving behind the teachings of men? I don’t know the answers, but I do know the Orthodox Church has it all wrong in that you go to heaven upon your death, and thus no need for a future resurrection.

Peace,
Paul